Work and Study in France

International students have the right to work in France if they have a residency permit and are enrolled in an institution that participates in the student health plan of the French social protection system (Sécurité Sociale). Even first-time visitors to France and students enrolled in the first year of post-secondary education enjoy the right to work. The work week in France (annually averaged) is 35 hours. French law allows international students to work no more than 884 hours in a given year. That translates to half-time employment (19.5 hours per week) during the academic year and full-time during vacations.

Working in France during your studies: International students are entitled to work part time up to 20 hours a week off campus. French legislation now authorizes foreign students to work a maximum of 964 hours per year. In France there is a guaranteed minimum salary, which is  8.71 Euro gross per hour.

Working in France after your studies: Once you have obtained a degree equivalent to a Master's or higher degree, you may request a temporary residence permit after expiration of your "student" residence permit. The temporary residence permit is valid for six months and is non-renewable.

This permit authorizes you to work in any kind of salaried job you choose, up to a limit of 60% of the legally permitted number of working hours.

If you sign an employment contract that is in a field related to your studies and whose remuneration is at least equal to one and a half times the SMIC, you will then be able to work full time and request a change in status (from student to employee) from the Préfecture administrative offices.

At the end of your studies, you can also be recruited by a company even if you are not an EU national.

You will have to change your legal status (from student to employee) through a specific procedure.

You will have to present an employment contract or an employment offer from a French company. In evaluating your request, the authorities will consider various factors, such as the company's reasons for making the offer, your profile and the number of years of study completed.

Finding a job:

Many international students work at the following jobs:

• teaching a language
• babysitting
• testing software and video games
• translating
• telemarketing and survey research
• waiting tables, washing dishes, and cooking, particularly in fast-food restaurants. 
• The CROUS (regional student-service center) in your region publicizes student jobs.
  

Please be sure to get a written employment agreement or offer of employment.

An employment agreement protects you in case of conflict with your employer. You will need a written offer of employment when you apply for temporary employment authorization, which you must do before working with a student visa.

Filing your request for temporary employment authorization:

• There are no forms to fill out. Just submit the items listed above to your local labor and employment office (Direction Départementale du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Formation Professionnelle, or DDTEFP).
• Applicants must appear in person. Mailed applications are not accepted. 
• You can get the address of your local DDTEFP office at your town hall (Mairie) or from the Web site of the Ministry of Employment (French only).
  

Please note that students are no longer required to obtain a temporary work permit (autorisation provisoire de travail - APT) in order to work part time during their studies, with the exception of Algerian students.

Check out this video to get information on summer programs in France